Apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons



E. V. STONE.

APPARATUS FOR CRACKING HYDROCARBONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2?. i920.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

2 SHhE l'S-SHEET 1- INVENTOR. E; M SfQMQ E. V. STONE.

APPARATUS FOR CRACKING HYDROCARBONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27.1920.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR. E V. S-l-one UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST VICTOR STONE. OF TAFT. CALIFORNIA.

APBARATUS FOR CRACKING HYDROCARBONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

Application filed May 27, 1920. Serial No. 384,718.

'To all about it may concern:

-Taft. in the county of Kern and State of California. have invented newand useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cracking Hydrocarbons. of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention is an apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons and has for itsobject the provision of a construction including one or more crackingchambers in which the hydrocarbons are subjected to heat for vaporizingthe latter, the hydrocarbons within the cracking chambers having aflushing medium injected into the same for causing a complete dissolvingand discharge of the hydrocarbons from the cracking chambers into acondensing apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction ofthis character in which attrition tubes are provided within.

the cracking chambers for breaking up any carbon-deposits which mayaccumulate within the cracking chambers, these attrition tubes beingarranged for eccentric rotation relative to the cracking chambers, so asto provide arubbing contact between portions of thewalls of the tubesand chambers circumferentially thereof, the portions of said walls whichare in rubbing contact shifting around the walls of the tubes andchambers during operation of the apparatus to insure the provision ofsuch contact throughout the entire circumferences of said walls.

The invention will be readily understood from the following descriptionof the ac: companyingdrawings, in which-#- Figure 1 is a verticalsection through an apparatus constructed in'. accordance with theinv'ention.

Fig; 2 is a detail transverse section onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section through the apparatus showing amodified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a still further modification of theinvention.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line (S(i of Fig. 4.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. l. a furnace is shownat 1 provided with suitable heating means :2. Mounted within the furnaceare one or more cracking chambers 3. preferably. vertically arranged andopen at their lower ends to a chamber l beneath the furnace. saidchamber communicating through a pipe- 5 to a suitable fractionatingtower (5. The cracking chambers 23 are shown as frusto-conical in shape.and are. preferably. provided with supply pipes 7 at their upper ends.these supply pipes conununicating with a main pipe 8. through which. thehydrocarbons to be treated are supplied.

The hydrocarbons supplied to the cracking chambers and vaporized thereinby-the heat from furnace 1. will move downwardly within the crackingchambers to the chamber 4 connnunicating with the bases of the crackingchambersr They are, preferably, subjected to the action of a flushingmedium for discharging from the cracking chambers with the hydrocarbonsany accumulations of tarry substances and of carbon which may formwithin the cracking chambers.

This flushing medium is, preferably, injected into the cracking chambersimmediately after the completion of the heating of the hydrocarbons. forwhich purpose the flushing medium-may be injected into the crackingchambers through ports 10, arranged in the walls of the chambers belowthe base 11 of furnace 1, the ports 10 being shown as communicating witha pipe 12, through which the lubricating medium is supplied.

Attrition tubes are provided within the .respective cracking chambersfor crushing and grinding any carbon deposits which may accumulate uponthe walls of the apparatus. Each of these attrition tubes are shown as acylindrical tube 14, concentrically pivoted relative to the axis of thecone formlng'the cracking chamber at its upper end, as by a.

universal joint 15' arranged to suspend the attrition tube within thecrackin chamber. The lower end ofthe attrition tu e is eccentricallarranged relative to the axis of the cone fbrming the cracking chamberand 15 arranged to be revolved around the axis of said cone for causingrubbing contact between all portions of the cylindrical surface of theattrition tube with all portions of the conical wall of the crackingchamber, so as to provide a rubbing action throughout all portions ofthe walls of the tube and chamber, it being understood that theattrition tube is so arranged that at-the point of contact between thetube and chamber, the wall of the tube extends parallel to the wall ofthe chamber as clearly shown in Fig. 1 for providing an intimate rubbingcontact throughout'the length of said tube at the point ofcircumferential contact between the tube and chamber.

The eccentric mounting and rotating means forthe lower end of theattrition tube may include a shaft 15 projecting beyond the end of thetube and journaled in a hearing block 16, supported by a gear 17eccentrically to the pivot 18 of said gear. As an instance of thisarrangement the bearing block 16 may be received in a radial slot 20provided in the gear 17 the bearing block being yieldably urged radiallyoutwardly as by a spring 21 interposed between the hearing block and theend of said slot. By this arrangement it will be seen that the attritiontube will be yielda-bly urged into intimate rubbing contact with thewall of the cracking chamber and will be revolved around the axis ofgear 17 when the latter is rotated, so as to make rubbing contact withsucceeding circumferential portions of the wall of the cracking chamber.

The gears 17 for the attrition tubes within the respectivecrackingchambers are shown as provided with spur-gear portions 17*" meshing withone another to cause rotation of one of said gears by the next precedingone of said gears, and the first one of series of gears 17 is shown asalso provided with a beveled gear portion 17" meshing with a pinion23,fixed upon a shaft 24. This shaft is adapted to be rotated by anysuitable means which may include a pulley 25 fixed upon said shaft. Bythe arrangement as thus described it will be seen that rotation of shaft24 will cause rotation of the respective gears 17, and as a consequencethe respective attrition tubes will be revolved within the respectivecracking members, so as to pro vide a grinding or rubbing action betweenthe walls of the tubes and chambers for breaking up any carbon depositsaccumulating within the cracking chambers. The carbon thus removed willbe carried through the discharge pipe 5 with the cracked hydrocarbonsand any tarry substances which may have accumulated within the crackingchambers, b the flushing medium pflaviously describe In the modificationof the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, I provide means for obtaining arubbing action between a portion of the circumferences of a crackingchamber and the attrition tube received therein by employing acylindrical cracking chamber .3 and an eccentrically mounted conicalattrition tube 143. In this construction the-mounting for the attritiontube is similar to that previously described including the universaljoint 15 at the upper end of the attrition tube and the shaft and gearconstruction at the lower end of the attrition tube for eccentricallyrevolvingthe attrition tube around the axis of the cracking chamber. Oneside of the surface of the conical attrition tube will make contact withone side of the cylindrical cracking chamber in manner similar to thatpreviously described, and as the attrition tube is revolved the portionsof the tube and chamber in contact will constantly vary around thecircumferences of the tube and cracking chamber. By this arrangement arubbing action between all portions of the surfaces of an attrition tubeand cracking chamber. will be obtained for preventing the accuniulationof carbon deposits upon any of the surfaces of the apparatus aspreviously described. 7

In Fig. 4 I have shown a still further mod ification of the mounting forthe attrition tube relative to the cracking chamber. In thisconstruction the lower end of the attriti'on tube is not only revolvedaround the axis of the cracking chamber, but the attrition tube is atthe same time rotated upon its longitudinal axis. In.this construction Imay employ either a conical cracking chamber co-operating with acylindrical attrition tube, as shown in the construction firstdescribed, or I may employ a conical attrition tube with a cylindricalcracking chamber, such as illustrated in the modification of theinvention shown in Fig. 3.

For the purpose of illustration I. have shown this latter constructionin the modification of the invention wherein the attrition tube isrotated as well as revolved around the axis of the cracking chamber. Inthe illustration of this construction, cylindrical cracking chamber 3"has the conical attrition tube 14 received therein. A ring bearing is,preferably, provided at the upper endof the attrition tube by means ofwhich the attrition tube is rotatably, mounted within the crackingchamber. A universal joint 31 is provided at this end of the attritiontube beyond bearing 30 between the attrition tube and a shaft 32extending outwardly through the top of the cracking chamber. Thischamber, preferably, extends through a stufling box 33, and is arrangedto be rotated for actuating the-attrition tube for which purpose it maybe provided with suitable driving means, shown as a pulley 34. A stubshaft 35 projects beyond the lower end of the attrition tube incontinuation of the longitudinal axis of said tube. This shaft isprovided with a pinion 36 which meshes with apinion 37, the latter inturn meshing with an internal gear 38 fixed upon the wall of thecracking chamber. A disk 39 suitably apertured as shown at 39 isrotatably mounted within the cracking chamber and is preferablysupported upon gear 38. The disk 39 forms a bearing 40 for the shaft 35eccentric to the axis of the cracking chamber. The intermediate pinion37 is also supported by the disk 39, preferably, upon a pin 41.

By this arrangement it will be seen that when the attrition tubeisrotated pinion 36 will also be rotated, and through theconnection'formed through pinion 37 with the fixed gear 38, the disk 39will be rotated within the cracking chamber. The shaft 35 of theattrition tube. being eccent-rically mounted upon the rotating disk 39,will cause revolution of the lower end of the attrition tube around thelongitudinal axis of the cracking chamber at the same time that theattrition tube is being rotated upon its longitudinal axis through theshaft 32.

The construction as thus described provides for a rubbing contactbetween portions of the circumferential surfaces of the attrition tubeand cracking chamber which constantly varies around said surfaces. theattrition tube being revolved around the longitudinal axis of thecracking chamber for obtaining this shifting, rubbing contact,.

and at the same time being rotated upon its longitudinal axis.

The apparatus as thus far described provides a variety of means forcausing a rubbing action between portions of the surfaces of crackingchambers and attrition tubes mounted therein, the rubbing surfacesshifting around the circumferences of said surfaces so as to create therubbing action throughout the entire surfaces of the cracking chambersand attrition tubes for breaking up any carbon deposits accumulatingduring the cracking of the oils.

The cracked hydrocarbons are discharged through the lower ends of thecracking chambers into chamber 4, from whence they are withdrawn throughthe pipe 5: this pipe, preferably, diseharges'into a fractionating tower6, which may be heated by any suitable means for causing vaporization ofthe lighter hydrocarbons. The cracked hydrocarbons, thus introduced intothe fractionating tower, preferably, fall upon a baffle plate 31arranged therein, thereby causing a complete breaking up andvaporization of the lighter hydrocarbons. These lighter hydrocarbons intheir vaporous state may be withdrawn from the top of the fractionatingtower through a pipe 32 communicating with a coil 33, which issurrounded by a cooling medium, such as water contained within a jacket34. The vapors passing through pipe 32 will thus be condensed duringtheir passage through coil and may be withdrawn therefrom through a pipe35 communicating with a receiving tank 36. This tank is provided with adischarge pipe 37 at its base, through which the liquefied lighthydrocarbons may be withdrawn, a suitable controlling valve 38 beingprovided in this pipe. A blow-off valve 39 and a valve controlleddischarge pipe 40 are. preferably, provided in the upper portion of thetank 36, through either of which, the vapors passing into the receivingtank may be exhausted, the blow-off valve, preferably, leading to theatmosphere, and the discharge pipe 40 leading to a suitable receptaclefor collecting said vapors when so desired. A gage 41 is, preferablyprovided upon the r ceiving tank 36.

The heavier hydrocarbgms introduced into the fractionating tower 6 willcollect therein in a liquid state, and an appreciable body of thesedistillates is, preferably, maintained within the fractionating tower. Adischarge pipe 43 controlled by a valve 4A is, preferably, arranged forwithdrawing these distillates as desired. A gage is, preferably,provided upon the fractionating tower for indicating the liquid'leveltherein.

" In order to provide for the recracking of the distillates thusaccumulated within the fractionating tower, a valve controlled pipe 45may lead from the bottom of the tower to a suitable pump 46, from whichthe distillates from the tower may be pumped back to the pipe 8 forsupplying the hydrocarbons to the cracking chambers of the apparatus. Bythis arrangement the distillates of the heavier hydrocarbons obtainedfrom the use of the apparatus may be returned to the cracking chamberfor recracking as many times as may be found desirable.

The flushing medium which is injected into the cracking chambers throughthe ports 10, as previously described, will carry from the crackingchambers with the cracked products and said flushing medium anyaccumulation of tarry substances which may form during the crackingprocess, as well as the carbon deposits which are broken up by therubbing contact between the walls of the cracking chambers and theattrition tubes as previously described. This flushing medium,preferably, comprises a portion of the distillates accumulating in, thefractionating tower 30, said portion of the distillates being cooled andthen supplied to pipe 12, so as to be injected into the crackmgchambers, as previously described. For this purpose a pipe 50 may leadfrom the lower part of the fractionating tower to a suitable pump 51arranged to pump a portion of the distillates from the fractionatingtower into a pipe 52 leading to a coil 53, which communicates at itsopposite end with the pipe 12. During progress through the coil 53 thedistillates are. cooled. as by providing a water jacket 54 around saidcoil. The flushing lubricant thus supplied to the cracking chambers isthereby arranged to be reduced to a lower temperature than that of thehydrocarbons being cracked. The apparatus also, preferably, providesmeans for withdrawing and cooling any excess of the flushing lubricantfrom the fractionating tower. For this purpose a valve controlled pipe56 may lead from the lower part of the fractionating tower to a coil 57surrounded by a suitable cooling jacket 58, the opposite end of the coilleading to any suitable receiving tank, not shown.

The improved apparatus as thus described, provides means for crackinghydrocarbons and breaking up any carbon deposits accumulating duringsaid cracking. The apparatus also includes means for fractionating thecracked products and condensing the vapors of the lighter hydrocarbonsobtained from said fractionation, so as to recover these li hterhydrocarbons in their liquid state. T e invention also provides meansfor returning the heavier hydrocarbon distillates remaining in thefractionating tower to the cracking chambers and injecting saiddlstillates after cooling the same into the hydrocarbons being crackedat the completion of the cracking process before the cracked prodnetsare withdrawn to the fractionating tower. The invention also providesfor the return of the distillates collected in the fractionating towerto the cracking chambers for recracking the distillates as many times asfound desirable and thereby form a continuously operating apparatus.

Various chan es may be made without departing from t e spirit of theinvention as claime Vhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a crackin chamber,an attrition tube within said crac ing chamber, and means for revolvingone end of the attrition tube around the longitudinal axis of saidcracking chamber for causing rubbing contact between portions of thesurfaces of said tube and chamber shifting circumferentially around saidsurfaces.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a crackin chamber,an attrition tube within said c-rac ing chamber, the surfaces of saidtube and chamber being inclined relative to one another, and means forrevolvin one end of the attrition tube around the ongitudinal axis ofsaid cracking chamber for causing rubbing contact between portions ofthe surfaces of said tube com prisin versal pivot for one end of saidattrition tube, and means for revolving the opposite end of theattrition tube around the lon itudlnal axis of said cracking chamber orcausing rubbing contact between portions of the surfaces of said tubeand chamber shifting circumferentially around said surfaces.

4. An apparatus of the character described a crackin chamber, anattrition tube within said cracking chamber, the surfaces of said tubeand chamber being inclined relative to one another, a universal pivotfor one end of said attrition tube, and means for revolving the oppositeend of the attrition tube around the longitudinal axis of said crackingchamber for causing rubbing contact between portions of the surfaces ofsaid tube and chamber shifting circumferentially around said surfaces.

5. An apparatus ofthe character described comprisin a cracking chamber,an attrition tube within said cracking chamber, means for rotating saidattrition tube upon its longitudinal axis, and means for revolving oneend of the attrition tube around the longitudinal axis of saidcrackingchamber for causing rubbing contact between portions of the surfaces ofsaid tube and chamber shifting. circumferentially around said surfaces.7

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a crackingchamber, an attrition tube within said cracking chamber, a universalpivot for one end of said attrition tube, a rotatable member beyondtheopposite end of said attrition tube, said end of the attrition tubebeing eccentrically mounted upon said rotatable member relative to thelongltudinal axis of said cracking chamber for causing revolution ofsaid attrition tube around the longitudinal axis of the cracking chamberso as to make rubbing contact between portions of the surfaces of saidtube and chamber shifting circumferentially around said surfaces.

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a plurality ofcracking chambers, attrition tubes mounted in the respective crackingchambers, said attrition tubes being arranged to revolve around thelongitudinal axes of said cracking chambers for causing rubbing contactbetween portions of the surfaces of saidtubes and chambers shiftingcircumferentially around said surfaces, and driving means fordependently. revolving said attrition tubes. I j

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a crackingchamber, an attrition tube in said cracking chamber, means for revolvingsaid attrition tube around the longitudinal axis of said crackingchamber for causing rubbing contact between portions of the surfaces ofsaid chamber and tube shifting circumferentially around said surfaces, afractionating tower, means for Withdrawing the cracked products intosaid fractionating tower, and means for injecting distillates from thefractionating tower into the cracking chamber at the discharge of 10said cracked products from the cracking chamber for carrying away anyresidue- Within the cracking chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ERNEST VICTOR STONE.

